"...the same as a regular passport with the addition of a small contactless integrated circuit (computer chip) embedded in the back cover..."
URL #1: http://travel.state.gov/passport/eppt/eppt_2498.html
Drake, , Age: 34
Mr. Luna,
I understand that much. What I'm trying to ascertain from you or anyone else, is this:
If I am a plumber, for example, and I get liability insurance for my plumbing business, do I have to give my legal name to the insurance company? I'm not referring to the business name but the legal name of the owner of the business. Can I give a professional name? And, if I can give a professional name, are there any (privacy) advantages to this?
does NM require annual "information returns" or "franchise tax" returns like some states? Tx does and it stinks
bob, , Age: 56
Hello Everyone,
I wanted to share a recent experience with Dell. I purchased a PC from Dell via their website with a C.C. with a pmb as the billing address and the PC was to be shipped to the pmb as well. The next day I received several phone calls from a number which appeared to be a call center, so I did not answer the call.
Finally after 8 or so calls, I did answer and it was Dell Customer Support, on the other end was a man from India with a fake British accent, and he was calling to verify the order and address, so I answered these two questions and thanked him which ended the call. He calls back approx. 5 minutes later, and states that, he noticed the address was not a home address and was a pmb, he then stated that I would need to verify my identity by listing every address I have ever had since living in the US (mind you I was born in the US), and especially would need to tell them my home phone number and home address.
I told him I would not answer any of his questions as I did not know who he was and did not give this information out over the phone. He stated "Sir, I have all of this info. on my computer screen just verify it, so we can process your order and ship the pc." I asked him how he has this info. and he stated "the government allows us to access their national database which lists all of the information on every citizen, and we use this info. to prevent fraudulent orders and to verify identities and addresses."
I told him I wanted to cancel the order and that I would purchase a pc from a store...in a very sarcastic tone, he stated fine...typed some things into the pc, and then was about to hang up...I asked him for the confirmation number for the cancelation and he stated that he could not provide it for 24 hours....at this point I hung up and called another rep. who was able to cancel the order.....
To further tick me off...and scare all of us, this person I found out later tonight, called my parents house and left a message regarding my Dell purchase and a few questions they needed answered.
Thankfully my parents did not answer the phone nor did they return the call, instead they called me asap, and informed me of the call. Now this is whats scary, I have not lived at my parents house for over a decade and they live in another state.
the only way they could have done this is if they do indeed have access to government databases. This tells me that Dell is a government front company. I will NEVER purchase a Dell and wanted to share this info with all of you.
Thanks to JJL, they obviously were not able to track my cell or virtual number both of which are assigned to two different pmb's in two different towns. Pheew....What a day!
Chris wrote:
"...drove across the border to Arkansas, rented a weekly apartment (Ghost address), went to the DMV and got a new DL on the spot with my new ghost address and then drove back to Oklahoma. I still use the Arkansas DL and the ghost address."
I'm thinking of doing something similar to what you did. May I ask a few questions?
1) What did you use for ID when you rented the weekly apartment?
2) What proof did you use at the Arkansas DMV as proof you lived in Arkansas? A lease or receipt from the apartment rental?
3) What if the Arkansas DMV sends you mail to your apartment in Arkansas? How will you get it? Will apartment management forward it to you in Oklahoma or will you go there to pick up your mail?
Thanks, Chris.
I live in a 50-unit condo complex and, at my request, condo management did not put my name on the building directory.
I received my census envelope addressed as follows: "To Resident At: Street Address; Unit Number; City, State; Zip Code".
Since I don't plan on returning the form, I expect census creatures will attempt to pay me a visit(s). If they cannot reach me, is it possible they will go to the condo office and attempt to get information from them? Are they compelled to provide information about me?
When a person procures car insurance or business insurance, is it legally possible to use another name, i.e. a professional name instead of one's legal name?
I do realize that when you sign a contract for insurance one is under "legal" obligation to tell the truth. So I'm guessing it is probably not allowed to give a professional name?
Is it legally permissible to give a first and middle name (in place of a surname) or a middle name and surname (in place of a first name)?
No, the new passport cads do not appear to have a magnetic strip on the back. They do, however, have RFID inside and a barcode on the back. It comes with a free RFID sleeve to keep it from being accidentally read.
When I sent them my regular (non-e) passport, they just sent it back. I was worried that they'd send me back an e-passport to "update" it. I get to keep my regular passport for another 5 years. Hopefully by then they've put an end to this RFID nonsense.
I now carry my passport card in lieu of carrying a state ID or driver's license (kept in the car). People seem to accept it a bit more readily than my regular passport. I guess in their eyes it just looks similar to a military/government employee ID.
George, , Age: 26
I thought you offered a Canadian ghost address? Has this changed?
Phil, , Age: 28
On the other hand, the services in Alaska and Spain are rock solid, I am happy to report.
Is it possible to open a Canadian bank account online and not visit the branch?
URL #1: https://www4.bmo.com/openaccount/tab/getstarted
Fred, , Age: 35
I found this site that will search for new banks with very few branches if any at all.
URL #1: http://us1.irabankratings.com/MoveYourMoney/IRADeNovoBanks.asp
Fred, , Age: 35
I have two questions I'd like some feedback on.
1.) Which car insurance company is better to do business with judged solely from a Privacy perspective--State Farm or Geico?
2.) Do the new Passport Cards have a magnetic strip on the back like Driver's Licenses do? Are the cards swipeable?
Brian, , Age: 21
... 2) I'll leave this question to be answered by some reader who has one.
I plan to move to another state within the next 9 months. I would like to open a box in that state now to plan ahead, but I am wondering if I will get much push-back when the addresses I give the box are from out of state? Do they care?
Steve, , Age: 29
There is a form that the USPS requires be filled out in order to receive mail in a rural delivery box. If you obtain that form (internet?, post office location?) and place it in the box with the flag up after filling it out with your "new resident's" information, you should start receiving mail in the proper boxes. Even putting a handwritten note in the mailbox that you need to "start delivery" for a "new resident" *should* induce a conscientous postal worker to respond to your request by providing you the proper form.
Dorothy, , Age: 44
Hospital visit problems
Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. At the start I didn’t see all of this coming.
I needed some lab work last Thursday at our local hospital. She asked for my DL in which I showed her and then she scanned it into their system. I do not have a passport yet.
The lady took a liking to me during the check in process. She found out that I’m single from all the information the hospital requires. Later on one of the other girls brought me her phone number on a post it note and said she wanted me to call her. I later keyed her into my phone just in case she called, she didn’t get my number directly from me and I have not called her.
My office manager who is in tune with me calls me Mr. Privacy and knows a lot about my business.
she had an illness the same week on Saturday in which she needed to go to the hospital. My admirer was checking her in and when she told her our company name her light came on and it was then 50 questions about me.
My office manager and her husband were together during this time and they later told me that she knows more about you than we do and we have known you for over 7 years.
The office manager had not been to the hospital for 25 years and the info on her was 100% except for her employer and was still all there since 1985. They also scanned her DL.
My admirer called me later on that same Saturday night, I didn’t take the call. She called Sunday afternoon and left an msg for me to call her. She called the office Monday AM and talked with our office manager and she told her I was not there. She said if I hadn’t called her by the end of the week she would forget about me.
I do not think the lady is a stalker I feel like she got encouraged by her associates and may of miss read required info from what little info I gave her on my own.
This has Freaked me out a little.
For those who may be seeking privacy by using VOIP:
URL #1: http://nestmannblog.sovereignsociety.com/2010/03/internet-telephony-cheap-but-not-private.html
Ray, , Age: 42
RE 7317 -
Whenever I do something for privacy but that seems odd to someone and I am questioned... the answer that always makes sense to people and eliminates further doubt or questioning is:
"I got my identity stolen last (fill in the blank month) ... someone was able to take money out of my bank account. Until it's all settled, I'm (fill in the blank: avoiding US banks, or I'm using money order, etc etc.)
I actually did get my identity stolen last June and found that this reason works very well for defeating people who are questioning any of my unusual actions in pursuit of preserving my privacy.
I installed a mail box on my guest house for one of my tenants and the USPS refused to put mail in that box. I left it up anyways and depending on the mail carrier for that day, the mail would go in that mail box or the regular main house mail box. Bottom line was neither tenant was pleased with the USPS response.
Jim, , Age: 61
If you took a taxi cab rid ein New York City in the past few years and used a credit card, you may be receiving an unexpected refund check in the mail. Apparently, some cab drivers were illegally over-billing. Since all cab rides are now recorded over GPS and your credit card stores information such as your name and address, New York cab companies can now pinpoint exactly where you currently live and get the money back to you.
Some of us who can put two and two together over how this system can be abused by stalkers or unscrupulous types.
Listen to this 3-17-2010 episode of a popular hacker news radio show.
URL #1: http://www.2600.com/offthehook/2010/0310.html
George, , Age: 26
What other ways of transferring money do you recommend besides physically carrying the money over the border? In Addition, will Canadian banks cash U.S. Checks?
Jeff, , Age: 38
JJ,
I followed your advice and opened a few Canadian accounts. Instead of wiring the money, I turned the cash into money orders and mailed the deposits in.
Now the bank is questioning why I am mailing in so many and I'm not sure what to say. Basically I was afraid that banks would fail, so I slowly pulled out cash.
We're moving to Canada so I wanted to move that money into the country.
I'm just worried they will report me or something. Any idea what I should say?
Thanks. Attached article is about currency controls that went into effect March 18, 2010. FWIW
URL #1: http://www.zerohedge.com/article/its-official-america-now-enforces-capital-controls
I must strenuously disagree with the idea that the only people who will see your passport or DL photo are people you show your ID to.
The greater risk to your privacy is not the people you show your id to - it is the databases in which the photos are kept. Coupled with sophisticated recognition algorithms those databases have an enormous potential for abuse. Imagine if those databases were made available to big merchants who put cameras at every cashier so they could de-anonymize anyone paying with cash. Or just on every street corner so that your ability to move about freely is reduced - after all most of England already has enough public cameras to pull that off.
In the past, many states sold those databases to anyone with enough money. The SCOTUS has limited but not eliminated such privacy breaches - and it certainly wouldn't take much more than some concerted lobbying (or terrorist fear-mongering) to further weaken the protections in place.
Look at it this way - there is only a very minor upside to you in having a clear and exact photo in the database, but the potential downside will only increase as technology progresses and the push for centralized identity gets stronger. So why not spend a little time to take some preventative measures when you have the chance?
Mr. Luna: I hate to break it to you but all passport books, in addition to the passport cards, are all electronic and biometric since August 2007. If you have a passport book before this time, it is still valid; however, when you renew it, you will be issued an e-passport book. There is no way around this yet; the state department no longer issues non-electronic passport books.
Good news, though, is that if you "inactivate" the chip, the passport is still valid. Some say microwave or cell radiation can neutralize the chip.
In light of this, I believe the passport card is an excellent addition to the book for ID purposes, etc.
I know of at least one person who had recently shaved their head and mustache, and lost 30 lbs, got stopped for a minor traffic violation, the officer noticed the DL pic looked very different from the person, and the officer kept the DL , wrote a temp permit and forced the driver to get a new DL & photo.
Stan, , Age: 44
I saw this video on youtube.com about what the census workers are doing to the homeless in CA.
URL #1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DndzxetXUtE&feature=player_embedded
James, , Age: 42
I have been using my new passport card instead of my regular passport for ID for the past 6 months and everyone seems to be getting used to seeing it. A lot of clerks think it’s a military ID. I like it because it’s the same size as your driver’s license.
Besides if someone wants to see two forms of ID I show them my passport card and passport.
URL #1: http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html
You cannot wear sunglasses or hats for your DL photo (unless it's a yamika or a Muslim shawl something like that), but you can do almost anything else, apparently, including wearing some hilariously absurd disguises for your DMV photo.
Watch this video clip from the news in Virginia! If this had not drawn media attention, they would not have made these guys change their photos.
URL #1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BGNFdK1twI
Mark, , Age: 26
Mike - you might consider using an umbrella corp in order to maintain some level of privacy. I have used "MBO Partners" in the past - google them for their website.
The way an umbrella corp works is that they set you up as a sort of division within their corporation. They then handle all the paperwork - including invoicing and tax compliance. They take a couple of percent of the net for their fee.
It certainly is not the most private way to go, but there are some privacy benefits in that you only need disclose information to the umbrella corp who then are essentially a proxy for all your business dealings with clients - and since you are the paying customer for their services their fiduciary loyalty is to you - not any of your clients.
With respect to drivers license photos - I disagree that the need is simply to "look different" from your normal appearance. They are starting to apply sophisticated algorithms to these pictures - like measure the distance between your eyes, the length of your nose, and shape of your cheekbones. That's why many DMVs have implemented a "no smiling" rule.
FWIW, the next time I have to suffer being photographed like that I intend to grow a thick beard and to stuff cotton balls between my upper gums and cheeks in order to distort the appearance of my cheekbones. I'm considering putting cotton balls in my nostrils to distort the shape of my nose too - I haven't experimented enough with that one to see what's practical.
In regards to Mike’s question #7302 about opening a corporation, what about hiring a nominee to open a bank account under a CA LLC that is owned by your NM LLC that uses a Foreign no subpoena ghost address? I wouldn’t use a bank that was also a client. I would use a bank with a non-interest bearing bank account in a very far away state that has only 1-2 branches. Then I would have that money transferred out of the country via a vacation in increments of 7000 or less.
James, , Age: 42
For men, how about growing a full beard and long hair for the photo, and shave it off and get a short haircut after the photo is taken. Or vice-versa, be clean-shaven with short hair for the picture, then let it grow out.
You want the DL photo to be the opposite of your normal appearance.
Jay,
If you go back to the main section of that website, you find that it's a far-fetch grand conspiracy theory page talking about "reptilian bloodlines" and the "Microsoft Illuminati". We're the somewhat paranoid type here, but not THAT paranoid! :)
George, , Age: 26
Greetings Jack,
What are your thoughts on using a nominee to form a Wyoming corporation and getting a TIN# in your own name without the INC at the end, and opening a business checking account to cash checks made out to you in your own name from a W-2 employer?
Fred, , Age: 35
Hi Jack,
In “Skip College” you advise against incorporating or getting a DBA/TIN/EIN when running your own business. As an independent computer consultant I cannot feasibly operate on a “cash” only basis with my corporate clients. I have arrangements with my clients where (under IRS restrictions) I cannot act as a 1099 consultant and others where I can.
I no longer want to operate as a W-2 employee for any of my clients and I also want to limit my liability in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. The only option I see to get around the liability and “employee vs. independent contractor” issues is to form an LLC or S-Corp and renegotiate all of my contracts to flow through the new company.
Am I missing something, or is this really the only way to go? At a minimum I will always be able to hide my home address through the use of a ghost address, and my principal place of business will be in a very remote part of California without public access or Google “street view”. Nevertheless, my name will be out there. I’m thinking of using my middle/last name for the corporate documentation, and (since I mostly consult with financial institutions) can have a "trustworthy" strictly business bank account with one of my clients (or should I bank with a non-client?)
Do any readers out there have any suggestions?
How may a male disguise his DL photo? Is it permissible to wear a baseball hat? Is it permissible to wear sunglasses? Eye glasses? What other options or suggestions might one make to "cloak" one's image on the photo?
Brad, , Age: 25
Does anyone know how long the post office and commercial mail receiving agencies keep your file or application or record on file after you discontinue a mail box service? Do they store your information (including photocopies of your IDs) on file indefinitely or is it "shredded" after a certain time? The same question goes for a Driver's license. If you get a DL from another state, does the old state hold on to your picture and file indefinitely? Would appreciate it.
Brad, , Age: 25
Thought this might be interesting to other readers.
More Power JJ.
URL #1: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/mar/24/airport-worker-warned-body-scanner
Davis, , Age: 42
When I went to get my drivers license renewed, I could not have been more pleased.
I prepared my props to look like a well dressed if slightly daft and flustered professor or busy lawyer and muttered to myself while in line rooting around in my briefcase for (actually nothing).
I rolled my hair up, wore a dark, padded trench coat (it was winter), kept my pair of glasses on my face and smiled as wide as I could after polite chit-chat with the city employee.
She took several pictures and let me pick out the one I liked best.
I praised JJ Luna at that moment because EVERY PHOTO SHOWED A HUGE TOOTHY GRIN, NO HAIR DETAIL, AND THE PAIR OF GLASSES REFRACTED AND GLARED OUT ANY REMAINING DETAIL OF MY FACIAL FEATURES.
I might just as well have been wearing a Batman mask over my face!
Some time later, I showed the photo to a trusted friend who has known me for years. He looked at it in amazement and asked outright, "Is that YOU?"
We both snorted and laughed. I placed yet another A+ checkmark of approval on JJ's side of "the equation."
Thanks once again, JJ, for your suggestions.
March 24, 2010
Police in Russia confiscate religious literature from homes of believers
"...The residents were awakened by the police who, with court orders in hand, were there to search the homes. The officers confiscated personal libraries, taking all Bible literature as well as business documents, computers, electronic data, even family photo albums and personal correspondence. ..."
Can happen anywhere! Don't wait for 7am.
URL #1: http://jw-media.org/rus/20100324.htm
Lance, , Age: 56
I went to talk to an insurance agent and they said anything but commercial insurance would hold me and an LLC liable together in the event of an accident...any suggestions?
Alan, , Age: 30
Kate,
You'll have to work hard to maintain your privacy as a police officer, but if you are diligent it can be achieved. One thing I have never agreed with for police, sheriffs, prison guards, etc is that the administration requires them to wear their name prominently displayed on their uniform for everyone to see. Makes it real easy for suspects as well as their crew to find out who you are to start a search of you and your family. This info is also obviously on all tickets and court/legal documents you will ever be involved with during your career and is public info.
If you are at level 3 and want to pursue a law career I suggest to go ahead and just state honestly to all investigators during the process that you are very privacy minded and have taken necessary steps to achieve good layers of privacy from those that may have bad intentions, which may be especially true in the field you are looking to enter. They should respect this attitude since they have been on the job for some time and know the dangers.
It's funny because I am friends with many police officers and every one of them is beyond slack when it comes to personal privacy and especially the privacy/safety of their family! I'm not exaggerating when I say I can pull up their residences on Google earth in less than a minute (already done so) and could get into their homes or cars in less than a minute due to non-existent security measures. These are guys that have been or are in special units like narcotics and SWAT so they would have high risk felons they busted possibly looking for revenge, but they all have the ostrich w/ it's head in the sand attitude. Don't get like this if you get into the career.If an agency refuses to hire you due to your privacy approach or requires you to change info to your real residence, car, etc then pass on taking the job if you value your safety and privacy. You'll find the job is not that glamorous or self rewarding once you're in the field.
Most cops, like lawyers, are an unhappy lot and stay with their jobs either for the excitement (adrenaline junkies-Type A) or are holding out for the decent retirement and benefits the career affords after 25 or so years if service. This is first hand feedback and observation I have from knowing many in the field. Good luck.
Can anyone one point me in the direction of a re loadable prepaid debit card that requires no SSN and has some what of a high limit (over 500). Some
Jake, , Age: 19
I have a gmail account that I have only used to send myself messages (notes), and only a few. Somehow when I logged in last week, there was a spam message there. How would a spammer find an email address that hasn't even left its own servers? Can hacks find stuff like that?? Thanks for any info!!
Is your gmail address one that uses a common name or word, as in "myname@gmail.com?" If so, be aware that spammers will harvest a domain name (like gmail.com) and will then spam every possible version of a common name in existence, on the not-irrational presumption that people will use easy-to-remember common-name addresses prior to the "at" sign.
That's likely how it occurred. One way to reduce this is to use the firstname.lastname@domain.name
The period between the first and last name generally confuses the harvesting bots enough to prevent spam.
Every "firstname"@domain.name email address I've ever set up has ended up being spammed. None of the name.name ones has, if I've been careful not to put them out on the web.
I've pretty much already gone through all the steps in your book. I'm around level 3 right now. The problem is I really want to be a police officer but you go through background checks. I'm willing to put down my llcs i own and such because the information is kept confidential but do i lose any privacy is what i am concerned about.
kate, , Age: 24
In your book, you mention offering money to someone for his/her P.O. Box or CMRA mailbox in order to establish a ghost address. How do you convince someone to accept your offer? Won't one become suspicious of such a request?
Don, , Age: 42
Has anyone formally hired a PI to test out their privacy weaknesses? I know in the computer field they perform a PEN test that will reveal weakness, flaws in security, so they can patch those holes.
Fred, , Age: 35
It appears that key loggers are being installed into new laptops. Has any one else been able to confirm this?
URL #1: http://hardtruth.navhost.com/keylogger.html
Jay, , Age: 41
They use software that makes up email addresses automatically, basically it just generates address' like aaa@domain.name, aab@domain.name, aac@domain.name, etc, and sends them all out until it one that doesn't bounce back as undeliverable, then they know they have a valid addy.
As a privacy issue I wouldn't worry about it.
Can I use a NM llcs for real estate investing. (holds and flips)
David, , Age: 20
It appears that Google is working with the NSA. Time to delete that google account.
URL #1: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704041504575044920905689954.html
Jeff, , Age: 42
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